Business Forum Imaging Cologne 2014 – BFI Cologne establishes itself as an important congress date for the imaging industry

The fifth Business Forum Imaging Cologne in the Congress Centre North of Koelnmesse ended on 26 February 2014. In its fifth year, the congress event has now finally developed into an important forum in which the industry discusses new strategies and business areas. A good half a year prior to photokina, more than 200 participants followed lectures and presentations for two days under the title “Memories moments and emotions“ spanning a range from the “Sound of Imaging” through new customer loyalty strategies in the Internet age to successful marketing for a camera that does not even exist yet.

In the Congress Centre North of Koelnmesse, manufacturers, imaging service providers, retailers and media representatives met to discuss coming product innovations, new business strategies in the online age and new sales chances for the photography industry and photography retailers provided by new technologies with top managers of the industry and independent experts.

While the first day primarily dealt with the manifold ways in which customers can record memories, moments and emotions and share them with others, the focus of the second day was on business models for the specialist photography trade. It wasn't just about how the classic specialist trade can exploit he advantages of direct customer contact in competition with Internet providers, but also about the right strategies for increasing the enthusiasm of customers for new products without confusing them with too much technology.

In addition to the discussion participants in the hall, the Gold and Silver sponsors of the event, who presented their current imaging products and services in a network zone, seemed satisfied with the event. Cewe Color, Kodak alaris and Samsung appeared as Gold Sponsors; di-support, DNP, Epson, Felix Schoeller, Imaging Solutions, Lytro, Mitsubishi Electric, Tetenal and TIS Service GmbH as Silver Sponsors.

The Business Forum Imaging Cologne 2014 was also supported by its partners, the Photographic Industry Association and the market research company GfK Retail and Technology. The congress was once again organized by “International Contact”, the global sister magazine of “imaging+foto-contact”, and the international information agency “Photo Imaging News”, USA. The next Business Forum Imaging will take place in Cologne in 2015.

Koelnmesse GmbH For 90 years, Koelnmesse has been bringing people and markets together. The success story of Cologne trade fairs began in 1924 with the opening of the first event on the exhibition grounds in Cologne-Deutz. During the “economic miracle” of the post-World War II era, the “Rheinische Messe” became a global trading center. Today Koelnmesse has the world's fifth-largest exhibition complex and organizes approximately 75 trade fairs in Cologne and all over the world. During its anniversary year of 2014, Koelnmesse is bringing its history to the public’s attention through numerous activities, publications, and exhibitions.